I don't own The Patriot
A/N: Hello! My apologies for not updating for sixty-five million years, due to interests lying elsewhere, but here is the new chapter of the story. Thank you to the reviews thus far.
Anna would have been lying if she thought she had a restful night. After the trickery that both Nathan and Gabriel had participated in, her revenge was thwarted by Benjamin Martin just last night when he found his oldest son being chased by a disheveled young girl. She didn't want to know what went through the militiaman's mind when he saw that sort of display, though he had been considerate enough to let the situation pass without interrogating either or. Both Anna and Gabriel had retreated to an empty tent where they both slept apart from one another, Anna being too angry with Gabriel for his trick whilst Gabriel not giving a second thought about his actions. Now that the sun had risen, Anna was awoken by the natural bright light as well as the galloping hooves of horses as they pranced about the field.
Gabriel stirred awake and ran a hand over his eyes to wear off the sleep. He wished that he had forgotten the uncomfortable feeling of sleeping on the cold ground after his participation in the war. A part of him wished that he was still able to fight for his country but after facing an almost near death experience, he knew that his father would not allow it and would do whatever he could to make sure that Gabriel didn't disobey him. He turned around and looked over at Anna with a slight smile upon his lips. "Good morning, Anna."
Anna stood up on her feet and looked down at Gabriel. "Don't think that I have forgotten about what happened last night," she said to him before marching out of the tent.
A joke that had meant to be good humored had been taken far too seriously. Then again, Gabriel didn't blame Anna for feeling the way that she did. She had just not been exposed to as much war and death as him and the others have.
Anna let out a sigh as she tried to avert her eyes to the bloodied the bodies that were lying upon the Earth. At a first glance, they looked like the soldiers who had fought for their life until their very last breath before Death had come along and taken them away, putting an eternal end to their suffering. As she quickly walked past the corpses, she came upon Benjamin Martin who looked like he hadn't slept in whoever knows how many days. "Mr. Martin," Anna greeted him with a nod of her head as the older man looked at her.
Too much had been going through Benjamin's mind that he had almost forgotten that Anna was staying at camp, even after the whole fiasco between her and Gabriel where he had to jump in between to keep Anna from killing Gabriel about his trick. "Yes Anna what can I help you with?" he asked her.
That was a question that Anna had not expected but many answers were going through her mind. I want to go home, bring my sister back, I want to get out of this place filled with blood and gore. "I..." she trailed off and pushed the heel of her shoe further into the ground, "I wish to go back to Shanty Town. I must be there with Alice." Even though it had been just a day or two, she had lost count of the days, it felt like an eternity. She feared that she had lost one sister and she was not about to lose another one, even if Alice was already in good hands with the Martin family.
It was without a question that he was going to send Anna and Gabriel back to be with Charlotte, no matter how much Gabriel refused. In case his son was willing to put up a fight about it, Benjamin was more than prepared to change his son's mind about fighting in the war. He never wanted to experience another one of his children dying again and he felt blessed that Anna had been there to save him just in time. He rested a hand upon her shoulder and gave her a reassuring nod of his head. "And I will make sure that you two will be reunited with one another."
"The last time I know of her," Anna continued, "she was rescued from drowning in the sea by a freedmen. She's delicate and I don't know how she's doing. I don't know when Gabriel plans to leave her but I can't spare another second."
Benjamin understood the importance of family. It was something sacred and he would do the same thing that Anna was doing if he heard if one his children was unwell. Before he could respond, Anna was staring ahead of her and right behind him Gabriel was listening into the conversation. There was a look of concern and perhaps some disappointment in his eyes about the whole ordeal. Disappointment that he couldn't fight in the war alongside his father but also concern for the well being on Anna's younger sister.
Anna inhaled through her nose and stood straight as she stared at Gabriel. "If you wish to stay here I can get there myself."
It took all of Gabriel's will to not roll his eyes at such an immature comment that she had just made. "And if you are stopped by the opposing army? Let alone the Dragoons?"
Anna scrunched her eyes towards the male but stood her ground. "That's why we have weapons, do we not?"
"And do you know how to use one?" he asked her.
Silence. Anna was not going to respond to that question for she was aware that Gabriel already knew the answer to that question. "I can just ask Mr. Scott to get be back to Shanty Town. I don't need you."
"No, no," Benjamin interjected before his son could answer. With Dan Scott taking Anna to Shanty Town and back would delay the militia army and he did not want to waste any time on that. "Gabriel will be taking the both of you there and you will remain there until this war is over." That last sentence, he looked over at his eldest son.
"But father I want to-" Gabriel was about to say but his protests were interrupted by Anna.
"Alright Mr. Martin," she said with a nod of her head, "you made your point clear and I respect your decision. I will make sure that everything that we need to head back is ready and I shall be waiting to leave." She glanced back at Gabriel before heading back within the tent that she and Gabriel slept into last night.
Gabriel let out a frustrated sigh and frowned at his father. "Don't look at me like that young man," Benjamin said, resisting the urge to scold his son, "my decision is final. Head back to Shanty Town and stay with your Aunt Charlotte and your brothers and sisters."
"I can't help but worry about you too," Gabriel said to his father. He knew that his father was a strong man and after what their family had been through after the death of Thomas, house being burned down, and the terror that the Dragoons had spread over to the people that they loved, Gabriel still wanted to fight alongside him to even ensure that his father was safe. Just like his father was looking out for him, Gabriel wanted to do the same for his father.
Benjamin gave his son a mellow smile and placed a strong hand upon his shoulder. "I have survived through the French and Indian War. I am sure that I will survive through this one too."
Catherine awoke to the sun's rays that entered through her window. The bed that she slumbered upon had never felt so comforting and she refused to rise up from it. She knew that it was a bit of a silly thing to think about but if she was to compare this bed from the one that she had at home, it was ten times better.
Home.
The last she remembered of her home was when it was burned after one of the Dragoons threw the torch towards it. She felt ashamed for even letting herself indulge in this sort of luxury after she had no home herself. What was she to do after this whole war was over...if it would ever be over?
"Miss?" a voice said, causing Catherine to look up from the pillows and towards a youthful face before her. Catherine had been so used to having Gertrude taking care of her, as well as her ill-mannered attitude, that she was surprised to see this young woman before her. "Are you well?" the young woman asked her.
Catherine sat up in her bed and pulled the covers towards her. "I am," she responded to her, "but who might you be?"
"Pardon my manners," the young woman chuckled, "I have been assigned to be one of your maids whilst you remain here. Unfortunately, the maid that was looking after you passed away."
Catherine stared at the woman in shock upon hearing this fact. Curious that she was, what was the reason to Gertrude's untimely passing? It had to be something more than just old age for it Catherine recalled correctly, she was quick on her feet and was able to do plenty more than one duty at a time.
"One must be cautious of slippery floors," the young woman answered Catherine's curiosity as if she could read her mind.
"How...tragic," was all that Catherine could muster.
"Certainly," the young woman agreed, "however, I look forward to making sure that you are comfortable. That was not only Lord Cornwallis's wish for his guests but also one of the captains." At that, she tilted her head to the side and gave Catherine a playful smile, "he sounded...rather fond of you."
At first Catherine would have told this maid to mind her own business but after the way she had presented herself and was willing to attend to Catherine without any snide remarks, Catherine couldn't help but openly show her emotions towards the maid's words. She felt a blush creeping up her cheeks and she lowered her eyes to the covers of the bed.
"My apologies for being too bold in my statements," she smiled to her, "it is truly improper of me to ask-" she was about to say before Catherine interrupted her with a slight wave of her hand.
"Think nothing of it Ms..." Catherine trailed off, realizing that the maid hadn't given her name yet.
The maid smiled towards her. "Briar. Briar Parsons."
Catherine nodded her head towards her. "Catherine Smith."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance," her eyes quickly glanced at Catherine's hand before looking up, "Ms. Smith. I shall be right back with your breakfast." With that, the door gently clicked shut behind her and her footsteps hurried down the hallway from the bedroom.
Catherine took a deep breath and collapsed back onto the pillows of her bed. It was truly tragic of Gertrude's passing but with this new maid that had been appointed to her, Catherine couldn't help but feel at ease and yet, she hoped that she would be able to build a stronger acquaintanceship with her. It wasn't easy being the only woman in a house full of men who spoke of nothing but war, though she couldn't say the same for James for he rarely mentioned such conversations.
Feeling more at ease, Catherine snuggled back into the warmth of the covers of the bed and remained there until her breakfast was served. After that, she didn't know what else she was going to do but await for James's presence.